I am pleased to announce that Karla Gouthro will assume the position of First-Year Experience and Orientation Coordinator on April 8th, 2013. As you may know, Dawn Sweeney, our current Coordinator of First Year Orientation and Transition, will start her maternity leave in May 2013. Dawn’s hard work, diligence and energy will be hard to replicate. I am confident that the strong foundation for orientation and transition laid down by Dawn will allow us to continue to offer programming that supports and enhances student success at Sheridan.
Karla completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Certificate in Adult Education at Dalhousie University in 2003. After working abroad in Seoul, Korea for one year, she returned to Canada to complete her Master of Education degree in Postsecondary Studies from Memorial University in 2006. Her Master’s research focused on international education and international student services in higher education.
She spent this past year laying the foundational pieces for the First Year Transition Programs portfolio at Dalhousie University, piloting a series of Summer Orientation programs for all incoming students and implemented a series of on-going transition programs for students of marginalized backgrounds to support their academic and personal success.
Prior to Dalhousie, Karla spent six years at Queen’s University in a variety of roles working with both undergraduate and graduate students of all backgrounds. Some of the roles she held at Queen’s were: International Education Intern, Coordinator of Community Outreach, Coordinator of Educational Programs in Residence Life, Coordinator of Graduate Student Life and Coordinator of Orientation and Transitions.
In addition to her work within the postsecondary environment, Karla spent two years as an integral member of the Kingston Pathways to Education Team. Within this community service organization, Karla directly supported the educational endeavors of high school students at academic risk. In this role she had the opportunity to work with high school teachers, guidance counsellors, postsecondary administrators, non-profit organizations and of course with parents and students.
Please join me in welcoming Karla to Sheridan.
Joe Henry, M.Ed
Associate Dean – Student Success